Contents

God of Justice

CB Samuel shared in our morning devotion on Tuesday the 11th September at the Micah Network Global Consultation, drawing from the Book of Amos. This October Prayer Focus Devotion is a summary of this session and a challenge for us as we intercede for Nations.

What does it mean to believe in a God Justice?

CB shared a story of his attendance at a multi faith conference where a discussion evolved about whether any of the gods in the religions around the world were concerned about justice or got angry over injustice. It was concluded that only the Judeo-Christian God revealed a characteristic that demonstrated his anger against injustice and his passion for justice.

It is important to note that justice is not a programme or project; it is the very characteristic of God. We often read about the holiness of God and that we are called to be holy as God is holy, but what does this look like? One of the ways that God reveals his holiness is through his passion and pursuit of justice. A holy God reveals himself as a God of Justice and we are called to be holy as he is. This clearly shows that justice, the pursuit of it, is a vital part of the church’s responsibility.

We read in Amos that God is passionate and angry about injustice (see verses “the Lord roars”.. Amos 1:2). Seeing injustice, standing for justice involves a strong emotion and we need to be careful that we do not approach social engagement in a clinical manner without letting it affect our emotions.
As we see injustice we need to seek the heart of God in our response – it is a heart that roars with indignation and fervour for justice.

Scope of Justice: Amos was initially sent by God to prophecy to the surrounding nations. This is important to consider, as we have often tended to think that justice is only for the People of God. However, the Bible shows us that God is concerned for justice for all nations, for every person, for creation. Our energy should not be curtailed to fighting for justice amongst our own people but wherever we see injustice, and against whomever it is aimed.

As we consider the subject of sin, we realise that we usually consider sin from a personal point of view, but there is also structural and social sin. Reading through Amos we see the he calls nations to account for their sin. What are the sins of our own nation? Exploitation of the poor, human rights abuses, how our nation deals with foreigners, how our nation treats so called “enemies” – all these national behaviours of injustice are areas we as Christians need to raise our voice about. We need to recognise that indifference or not being concerned about this not only grieves God’s heart but is itself a form of injustice. We need to take courage and speak out the truth. We are not called to political correctness we are called to speak out the truth and to stand for justice.

Our lifestyles need to reflect this as the integrity of our how we live will reinforce the authority we have as we speak.

Lord, we confess we have not been stirred to anger against injustice, nor have we spent our energy for justice. Forgive us Lord and create in us a heart for justice. Develop in us the characteristic that you have – the One who seeks Justice. May we in solidarity stand for truth and justice in our community, in our nation and in our world.

Beyond Thun 2012 – extract about Justice

We affirm that the God of the Bible is the God who loves, delights and demands Justice. God’s righteous anger against injustice is expressed often in the prophetic books. Justice demands actions both at personal and structural levels; injustice has real faces – humiliated poor people treated as commodity, injustice and violence against women and children, consumerism and unlimited luxury in the presence of poverty and oppression, religion without justice. We are called to mourn and make space for lament and pain and repent of our inexcusable silences.

 - What breaks the heart of God in your local community in relation to justice?

- How can you provide space for lament and anger in the communities of faith that you are part of?

- And what would it mean for you to lament over these issues?

- As you reflect on God’s concern for justice, how would your lamentation impact your context / community?

As we reflect on each of these four questions let us bring our thoughts and responses to God and offer ourselves as servants to respond.

Syria – under rubble and dust

The rising number of people killed, property destroyed and people displaced is alarming. Winter is fast approaching to add to the difficulties of the thousands who are now fleeing their homes. Crops are destroyed, further driving this nation into an alarming state.

The raw pain of loss, of death and destruction and world seems unable to stop this.

Let us hold the Syrian people up before God, earnestly seeking cessation in this civil war, access to relief services and clarity on the way head to bring resolution.

Columbia – change in the air

On 17th October the Colombian government start peace talks with Colombia’s largest guerrilla group FARC. This is such an important process which needs all our prayer support. There are over 400,000 refugees and 3.8 million displaced people affected by the 50 year conflict.

Pray for this talk facilitators (Norway and Cuba) as they help to guide the process

Pray for the truth to be expressed and an openness to seek reconciliation and a shared future.

Pray for all those who have suffered in this devastation conflict, that they would be able to be comforted and return to their homes.

Stand with the church in Colombia that it would speak out and play a part in the reconciliation process.

Abductions

The UK news has been focusing on the abduction of a 5 year old girl by the name of April Jones, snatched from the street where she was playing and what appears to now be murder. This highlights the terrible reality of how many children are being ripped from their families around the world for various horrific reasons.

Let’s pray for the Jones family in their time of grief and pain at the loss of little April Jones.

Pray for all those who work to stop, prevent, restore and bring justice for families who have been affected. Pray that breakthroughs would come and those who perpetrate such crimes would be blocked, identified and brought to account.

Lord we seek the safety of our children.

Prayer Points in Brief

1. Global Consultation: All thanks and praise to God for the time we shared in Thun, Switzerland. We pray that the discussions and decisions made would bear fruit and help inspire people t be the change they long for in their communities.

Please pray for the work that still is being done to follow this Consultation up. For the paper published “Beyond Thun 2012”, that it would be a catalyst for transformation.

Please pray for the finances – of the 412 people who registered, 325 attended. Quite a few people did not inform us in time to cancel reservations or visa application outcomes were very late, meaning we held onto reservations which we now need to pay for even though they were not used. This has placed financial pressure on us and we ask you to pray for the negotiations and practical covering of this gap.

2. Kurkura Wafa (Ethiopia): has now finished his treatment for the tumour he had removed earlier this year and is happy to report that his much better. Please continue to lift him and his family up in prayer.